12th April, 2017
Organisers of the 5th edition of Okpekpe road race have said that this year’s event would be used to boost tourism in Edo.
Mike Itemuagbon, the promoter of the yearly race, disclosed this at a news conference in Benin on Wednesday.
Itemuagbon said that no fewer than 2000 school children aged six years, would be given their first football as part of the programme for the marathon race.
He said part of activities lined up for this year`s edition, a week long awareness, would be used to show case the rich culture of the state.
Itemuagbon said this edition of the race was not all about winning prizes, but running for charity and boosting the tourism potentials of the state.
According to him, “We are synergising with the state ministry of Art and Culture to attract tourist to the state.
“There is going to be a weeklong awareness for the race.
“We expect that this will serve as aboost to tourism in the state as the week long activity will afford opportunity to show case the culture and tourism potentials of the state.” he said.
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The organiser said “Lets Play”, a part of Okpekpe road race programme and sponsored by Super Sport, is meant to encourage the participation of young ones in sporting activities.
He said this year’s edition of the Lets Play would take place at the new sport complex of the Edo University, Iyamoh.
NAN reports that the Lets Play is part of Okpekpe road race programme is aimed at encouraging school children, in rural areas, to take active part in sporting activities.
The 5th edition of Okpekpe road race would take place on May 13 and it is expected to feature no fewer than 60 foreign athletes from 11 countries, such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco and Eritrea.
Itemuagbon said aside athletes from Africa countries, those from Europe and Asia are also expected to participate. (NAN)